Facebook has banned the American white nationalist who popularised the term "alternative right".

Richard Spencer's page on the social network was removed on Friday along with two other pages he controlled: that of his National Policy Institute think tank, and one promoting his AltRight.com news analysis website.

Facebook has not commented, but the BBC understands the blocks are permanent.

Facebook's action follows its decision to expel the anti-Islamic group Britain First and its leaders last month.

The US-based technology giant's terms and conditions state that it does not permit "hate speech", which it defines as including content that directly attacks people because of their race or ethnicity.